A. Participation in the Alexandria Soccer Kick-Off (ASK) is open to accepted boys and girls teams composed of a maximum of fourteen (14) players for U-9 and U-10 age groups (playing 7v7) , sixteen (16) players for U-11 and U-12 age groups (playing 8v8), meeting the age limit of the specified division; Players must have been born during, or subsequent to, the divisional year, as defined by US Soccer Guidelines; Player registration cards duly authorized by State/Provincial or National Association will be required as proof of age for U9-U12 players.

B. Age groups*:

• Under 12 (August 1, 2003 and younger)*

• Under 11 (August 1, 2004 and younger)*

• Under 10 (August 1, 2005 and younger)*

• Under 9 (August 1, 2006 and younger)*

*Combining of age groups will be done at the ASK Committee’s discretion.

C. Each team accepted must be registered with a National State Association affiliated with the USYS/USSF or national equivalent and must present a valid State or Provincial roster. Teams that are members of organizations of the United States Soccer Federation but not members of US Youth Soccer (such as AYSO, SAY or US Club Soccer) DO NOT have to have a US Youth Soccer Permission to Travel form (although that team’s organization may require that the team have permission). Consideration will be given to academy style programs and clubs to participate which may consist of “house” all-star teams or the equivalent.

D. There is no limit to the number of guest players allowed on an ASK Team Roster. However, a team using guest players must have no more than a maximum of fourteen (14) players for U-9, U-10 age groups (playing 7v7) and sixteen (16) players for U-11, U-12 age groups (playing 8v8). Guest players must be current USYS/USSF or national equivalent players. Guest players may be recreational players provided they obtain certification comparable to a player registration card and obtain this certification from the same state official that grants player registration cards.

​​E. Guest players are considerded "any age appropriate player not on your league approved roster". Guest players may be from your clubs recreation league or from another travel team but they must be registered players to ensure they are covered by insurance.

II. LAWS OF THE GAME

A. All games shall be played in accordance with FIFA Laws, except as specifically modified by these rules.

III. DIVISIONS and FLIGHTS

A. Divisions: ASK will make available multiple flights in each age group and gender. The flights will distinguish themselves between teams and their developmental stages.

4-team division – Each team plays a round robin. Top 2 teams based on points will play in the final.

5-team division – Each team plays a round robin. First and second place determined on points. No playoff of championship game.

6-team division – Two flights of 3 teams. Each team will play the other 3 teams in the opposite flight. Top 2 teams in each flight advance to finals.

7-team division – Flight B will have four teams. Flight A will have three teams. Each flight will play two games. The teams in each flight will then be ranked from first to last based on tie-breaking procedures. Top two teams in each flight advance to semi-finals. First place of flight A will play second place of flight B in the semi-finals. First place of Flight B will play second place of Flight A in the other semi-final. Winners advance to final. Consolation matches: Third place of Flight A will play third place of Flight B. The winner will play fourth place of Flight B.

8-team division – Two flights of 4 teams. Each team plays a round robin within their flight. The winners of each flight (based on points) advance to the final.

9-team division – Three flights of 3 teams. The winner of each flight plus a wild card (best second place based on pts, then tie breakers) advance to the semi-finals. Consolation matches feature 2nd best 2nd place vs 3rd best 2nd place. 3rd Place flight B plays 3rd place Flight C. The winner of this match (Winner Consolation A ) plays 3rd place Flight A.

IV. DURATIONS OF GAMES

A. The duration of U9 and U10 ASK games will be 50 minutes.

a. 25 minute halves, with a 5 minutes halftime

B. The duration of U11 and U12 ASK games will be 60 minutes

a. 30 minute halves, with a 5 minute halftime

C. All games will be played with a running clock. The referee may only stop the clock for serious injuries or other serious incidents. Absent these extraordinary circumstances, the referee will terminate each half at the expiration of the allotted time with the sole exception that if a penalty kick is awarded during the allotted time, the penalty kick may be taken. The referee is the official timekeeper and therefore all decisions regarding game duration are solely at the referee's discretion and shall not be protested. Under no circumstance will the game end after 75 minutes from when the scheduled start time is listed. The referee may, at their discretion, give water breaks at the mid-point of each half if heat-related issues are a concern.

V. FIELD CHECK-IN TIME AND FIELD AND GAME EQUIPMENT

A. All Games for ASK

a. Teams must check-in at the ASA Field Tent prior to their first game only.

b. Check-in time is 45 minutes prior to the team's first game.

c. Players’ numbers MUST be listed on the Official ASK Team Roster or similar league team roster and approved by the ASK staff. Players must wear numbers visible on the back of their uniforms and these numbers shall coincide with those listed on the team’s Official ASK Team Roster.

d. Players shall wear shin guards in accordance with FIFA laws.

e. No metal cleats will be allowed, and no jewelry will be allowed.

f. Hard (must be covered and wrapped) and soft casts are permitted with the approval of the referee.

g. Where opposing team’s uniform colors are similar, the designated home team will change colors. The designated home team is listed first on the schedule. Managers may contact the opposing team manager in advance of the game to deconflict uniform colors.

h. When requested by the referee, each U11 and U12 team must provide a referee sideline assistant.

i. ASK will provide game balls at each field. If no game ball is present the designated home team must provide the game ball. The designated home team is responsible for supplying a game ball acceptable to the referee. A size 4 ball is used for U9 through U12 play.

j. Players and coaches of both teams will take the same side of the field. All other supporters will take the opposite side. Only three team officials are permitted on the sidelines with their players.

B. U-9 through U-12 teams: The following must be present at the field for check-in 45 minutes prior to the first game and available if requested for the duration of the weekend:

a. Player registration cards

b. Official ASK Team Roster denoted with the “ASK Logo” or similar roster used for league play. This roster must be presented during check-in 45 minutes prior to the teams first game.

c. Players’ shirt numbers MUST match the number on the ASK Team Roster approved by the ASK staff. If the numbers are not the same, the player is not allowed to play until the numbers match (i.e. change jersey).

VI. REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN: FORMS, DOCUMENTATION and HEADQUARTERS

A. The 2016 ASK Director is Jim Hogan.

B. ASK Registration: Teams are required to register/check-in at the field where they are playing at the designated check-in tent.

C. Game Check-in: Teams are required to check-in at their fields 45 minutes prior to the team's first game.

D. Team Contact Info: Each team, upon checking-in at ASK registration, must provide a local phone number and name of a designated contact person who can be reached at any time, should the necessity arise, as well as the phone number, and location of hotel, if applicable.

E. Rosters:

a. Players names and jersey numbers MUST be listed on the ASK Team Roster approved by ASK.

b. Only players listed on the approved "Official ASK Team Roster" or similar league team roster used at the first check-in may play. There is a maximum of fourteen (14) players for age groups U-9 and U-10 (playing 7v7) and sixteen (16) U-11 and U-12 (playing 8v8).

F. Individual Player Requirements:

a. All players must have current:

i. Signed Medical Release forms or equivalent on hand during the weekend

b. Teams are required to have and present player picture identification cards.

c. Teams must have a completed form from its Provincial or National association approving the team’s participation in the tournament.

VII. FIELD SET-UP

A. Team and Spectator Field Position

a. Players and Coaches will occupy one side of the field. The home team will have choice of their bench area. Teams may have up to 3 team officials in their technical area. Coaches will remain in their technical area and be restricted to the area between their side of the center line and 18 yard line. Coaches may enter the field of play only upon approval of the referee.

b. Spectators will occupy the side of the field opposite the player’s bench area. Home and visiting spectators shall occupy areas opposite their team benches. Spectators shall remain in the area between the 18 yard lines (penalty areas).

c. No spectators will be to sit/stand in the immediate areas behind the goal lines with the exception of official ASK photographers.

VIII. PROTESTS & DISPUTES

A. There will be no protests allowed.

B. All disputes for non-referee decisions are submitted thru the Site Coordinator in writing to the ASK Committee (consisting of the ASK Director, and other ASK staff) at the field registration tent for approval by the end of the day that the dispute occurred. All decisions by the ASK Committee are final and may not be appealed.

C. No protests & disputes for referee decisions are allowed; decisions by referees may not be appealed.

IX. SUBSTITUTIONS

A. Substitution Times:

a. Unlimited substitution may be made at the discretion of the referee at the following times: a kick-off; a goal-kick; or on a throw-in for the team taking the throw-in. If the team taking the throw-in is allowed to substitute, the opposing team will be permitted to substitute as well.

b. Limited substitutions can be made, with the referee’s permission, in case of stoppage of play for an injury on a one-for-one basis for the injured player(s). The opposing team is also allowed one substitution if the injured player is substituted.

c. At the request of a coach, a player receiving a yellow card may be substituted at the time the card is shown.

X. GAME AND SCORE REPORTING

A. Referees and Field Marshall’s will also provide complete and accurate information on the teams’ players/officials receiving yellow/red cards during the game including their full name and shirt number, if applicable.

B. U9 and U10 Referees will report game scores online following the procedures provided to them by the ASK Referee Assignor. Game scores should be reported as promptly as possible. Online reporting applies to game scores only.

C. U1 and U12 Referees will report game scores to the ASA official tent on site. The ASA officials will report the score online following the procedures provided to them by the ASK Director. Game scores should be reported as promptly as possible. Online reporting applies to game scores only.

XI. CONDUCT

A. Players, coaches, and spectators are expected to conduct themselves within the spirit of the LAW as well as the letter of the LAW. Displays of temper or dissent are cause for ejection from the game and the surrounding field area. Repeated violations may result in the suspension of the team from the tournament as decided by the ASK Director.

B. Players, coaches and team officials ejected from a game by the referee shall be ineligible for the next scheduled game.

C. It is the responsibility of the team’s coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf to control the conduct of its parents and other spectators. Failure to do so may result in a warning to the coach or the person acting in the coach’s behalf by the referee. If unacceptable conduct continues, the referee may eject the team’s coach, or the person acting on the coach’s behalf, from the game.

D. A coach or authorized team official who commits a cautionable or sending-off offense under Law 12 shall be shown a yellow or red card, as appropriate, by the referee.

D. Artificial noise making devices are prohibited.

E. Smoking, alcoholic beverages, and verbal abuse of anyone are not permitted at any of the field sites.

XII. SEMI-FINAL AND CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

A. U9 and U10 age groups follow the developmental model and do not promote a playoff system or a champion.

B. U11 and U12 age groups will have a playoff format with a championship game

a. Tie Breakers (in order)

1) Head to head competition (Tie between two teams)

2) Most wins (3 or more teams or two teams tied their head to head game)

3) Least goals allowed

4) Goal differential

5) Most goals scored

6) Most shutouts

7) FIFA penalty kicks

b. Overtime (Playoff and Championship Only)

1) 10 minute overtime (no halftime or switching sides)

2) If tied after overtime

a. FIFA penalty kicks

XIII. FAILURE TO SHOW AND FORFEITS

A. A team shall be allowed a ten (10) minute grace period after the scheduled kickoff time before the match is considered a “no show” and that team forfeits it’s game. A minimum of six (6) players constitutes a team at the U9 and U10 age group and seven (7) players constitues a team at the U11 and U12 age group, which means the game will not be delayed. The ASK site coordinator must get final approval from the ASK Director or a representative at the Command Center before marking a team as forfeiting due to tardiness. Exceptions to this rule are at the discretion of the ASK Director.

B. Failure to produce either duly authorized Player Registration Cards or an official ASK Team Roster or similar league team roster to the appropriate Field Marshal or Tournament Official thirty (30) minutes prior to the first scheduled game time is grounds for a forfeit.

C. Forfeited games will result in a 3-0 scoreline.

D. The team forefiting will not be eligible to advance to the playoff rounds.

E. Playing a “red-carded player” (a player receiving either a red card or two yellow cards in one game) in the game following the receipt of a red card is grounds for team dismissal.

XIV. INCLEMENT WEATHER

A. In the event of inclement weather, the ASK Director or official representative(s) will have the authority to:

a. Relocate or reschedule any game(s);

b. Change the duration of any game(s);

c. Cancel any game(s);

d. Consider any game terminated by ASK officials after one half of play official at of the time of termination

XV. GENERAL

A. ASK will do its best to schedule three (3) games for each team. However, at the ASK Director’s discretion, the number of games may be reduced in which case ASK is not liable for any expenses and no refunds for the ASK application fees will be given.

B. Under no circumstances whatsoever will the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Inc., the Alexandria Soccer Association, the ASK Committee, or any of their official representatives be responsible for any expenses (including the ASK entry fee) incurred by any team. This includes a situation whereby ASK or any game(s) is canceled in whole or part.

XVI. REFEREES

A. For U9-U12 all games will have one (1) referee assigned to each game during "pool" or group play

B. For the U11 and U12 playoff games, three (3) referee's will be assigned to each game

C. The Alexandria Soccer Association referee assignor will be in charge of placing referee’s in appropriate environments.

D. Referees with more experience will be placed in the older age groups.